Scholarship of Learning & Teaching

Describe  the  assessment  strategies  you  use  to  evaluate  student  learning.  Provide  examples  of procedures  to  assess  or  evaluate  student  learning  and  explain  how  these  assessments  help  in achieving course objectives.  Consider addressing the following key points: 

Introduction to Assessment Philosophy 

o  Educational  Philosophy:  Introduce  your  belief  that  assessment  is  a  dynamic  tool  that guides the learning journey, not just a measure of knowledge. 

o  Influences:  Explain  how  your  approach  is  rooted  in  transformation,  decoloniality,  and educational  frameworks  from  Bloom's  Taxonomy,  Freire's  Critical  Pedagogy,  and Mezirow's Transformative Learning.

Assessment Strategies and Methodologies 

o  Diverse  Assessments:  Describe  the  range  of  assessment  strategies  used,  including traditional  exams,  project-based  assessments,  multimedia  projects,  written  reflections, and collaborative assignments. 

o  Alignment  with  Learning  Objectives:  Detail  how  each  assessment  aligns  with  the learning  objectives  of  the  modules  and  themes  you  teach,  supporting  various  cognitive levels and learning styles.

Decoloniality and Critical Pedagogy 

o  Incorporation  of  Decoloniality:  Discuss  how  you  incorporate  decolonial  perspectives  in assessments, addressing power dynamics, social exclusion, and diversity. 

o  Critical  Pedagogy:  Explain,  for  example,  how  Freire's  Critical  Pedagogy  influences  your assessment  practices,  ensuring  content,  examples,  and  evaluation  criteria  reflect  a diverse range of voices and experiences. 

Formative Assessments and Continuous Feedback 

o  Integration  of  Formative  Assessments:  Highlight  the  use  of  formative  assessments  such as  quizzes,  peer  evaluations,  and  interactive  discussions  as  a  continuous  feedback mechanism. 

o  Transformative  Learning:  Describe  how  formative  assessments  draw,  for  example,  from Mezirow's  transformative  learning  theory,  allowing  for  ongoing  insights  and  adjustments in teaching strategies. 

Assessment Tools and Techniques 

o  Variety  of  Tools:  Explain  the  use  of  various  assessment  tools  to  accommodate  different learning styles and foster a holistic understanding of the subject matter. 

o  Assessment  Matrix:  Include  an  example  of  a  module  theme  linked  to  an  assessment matrix and an assignment description to illustrate your approach. 

Fairness and Transparency 

o  Ensuring  Fairness:  Discuss  how  you  ensure  fairness  and  transparency  in  assessments, including the use of rubrics, grading criteria, and clear communication with students. 

o  Transformative  and  Decolonial  Ethos:  Explain  how  these  practices  align  with  the transformative and decolonial ethos, aiming to reduce anxiety and promote growth. 

Integration with Teaching Philosophy 

o  Alignment  with  Teaching  Philosophy:  Reiterate  how  assessment  practices  reflect  your teaching philosophy, including Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. 

o  Assessment  for  Learning  (AfL):  Detail  how  your  approach  aligns,  for  example,  with  AfL principles, focusing on constructive feedback and continuous improvement. 

Curriculum Transformation Principles 

o  Embedding  Graduate  Attributes:  Illustrate  how  the  UWC  graduate  attributes  and decoloniality issues are integrated into lesson plans and assessments. 

o  Innovative  Assessment  Strategies:  Describe  how  innovative  assessment  strategies,  such as reflective journals and project portfolios, align with transformative learning principles. 

Supporting Documentation 

o  Course  Examples:  Upload  examples  of  course  materials  that  demonstrate  your assessment strategies, including assessment matrices and assignment descriptions. 

o  Exam  Paper  Moderator’s  Report:  Provide  an  example  of  an  exam  paper  moderator’s report to showcase the fairness and transparency of your assessment practices. 

Summary and Reflection

o Overall  Approach:  Summarize  how  your  assessment  practices  are  an  integral  part  of  your teaching  approach,  emphasizing  their  role  in  fostering  inclusive,  transformative,  and continually improving education. 

o  Impact  on  Student  Learning:  Reflect  on  how  these  practices  empower  students  and contribute to their academic and personal growth.